This book features seven independent stories that share little in common, aside from graphic sexual content (unsurprisingly, as they were published in Manga Erotics).
At times, you might find these tales repulsive or even worse. However, if you're daring enough to delve into this author's somewhat twisted mind, you're in for an incredible experience.
The book's standout feature isn't its art, which is visually appealing but not revolutionary. Nor are the characters particularly complex; they're just detailed enough for short stories (which means fairly basic). The manga's true strength lies in the impact of its narratives. They're remarkable, inventive, and occasionally downright bizarre. If you have an open mind, these stories will make you laugh, cry, and marvel at the author's creativity. That said, if you prefer logical, straightforward storylines in your comics, this might not be the book for you. For everyone else, grab a copy immediately.
This manga is the literary equivalent of consuming toxic waste.
The most concise summary I can provide is that it consists of seven stories soaked in graphic sexual content, shattered innocence, and an odd sense of humor, with a few intriguing ideas (like the tales of the children in gas masks, the sniper, and the detective).
It’s merely a distasteful experiment that yields something far from beautiful or significant.
I cannot recommend it. It’s not that it’s utterly terrible; it’s that it’s a blend of immature, vulgar, and grotesque elements. It resembles how a disturbed child might describe the horrors of war or human nature.
This manga, in my view, isn't something to be dismissed casually. It's brimming with sexual content and graphic violence, yet it ranks as one of my all-time favorite mangas, tied with Deep Love - Pao no Monogatari. Every story has its own unique twist, and in many ways, it challenges your thoughts. It's among the most unsettling narratives I've encountered, but paradoxically, that's precisely what makes me adore it. I honestly can't pinpoint any aspect that needs improvement since it accomplishes exactly what it sets out to achieve. Each tale, based on my readings and comparisons with other works, stands distinct in its own right. I first read this manga years ago, recently rediscovered its title, and ended up reading it twice in a single day, even downloading all the pages. I truly believe this is a must-read masterpiece. The stories flow seamlessly and cohesively form an exceptional collection. 10/10<p>
Jiro Matsumoto's short story collection is filled with explicit sex, death, and memorable lines throughout.
In "Keep On Vibrating," we're thrust into a world obsessed with sex, where characters are either engaging in it or watching others do so. The narrative centers on a neighborhood calligrapher simply known as 'sensei,' who remains naked for the entirety of the tale, exploring his complex relationship with two abused women. Adding to the surreal atmosphere is a man in a business suit with the head of a horse. Yes, you read that right.
"Morning Glory" follows a possibly clairvoyant individual whose life revolves around sex, trapped in a shallow relationship with a woman. His adventures in the neighborhood lead to predictable yet compelling outcomes involving both sex and death, which seem to go hand-in-hand in this volume.
"Land of the Sacred Spirits" offers a Twilight Zone-style Groundhog Day nightmare for a man trying to avoid the complications of a nasty divorce settlement. One standout quote from this chapter is: "You're a zombie! How can you eat ramen after I killed you!?"
"Sanpol and Krezol" introduces two children wearing gas masks, blessed with the enviable ability shared by all kids—the power to escape reality through their imaginations. As the story unfolds, they emerge as the wisest characters, choosing to retreat from the harsh realities surrounding them. Despite the grim setting, the payoff is truly remarkable.
"The Cat Ritual" continues the setting introduced in the previous chapter, furthering the adventures of the two children. Initially perceived as clever for escaping their circumstances, their intelligence is questioned when they brutally beat a cat for reasons that are hilariously absurd. This chapter provides more insight into their city, showcasing Matsumoto's detailed and quirky backdrops, a refreshing contrast to mainstream manga's focus on superhero costumes and special effects.
"Give and Take" delves into the investigation of a schoolgirl's rape and murder by a police officer who isn't above hitting on high school girls himself. This chapter features a cameo from characters in a prior story and includes more Twilight Zone-like antics.
"Hardboiled Sakata" stands out as the best story in the collection, though Matsumoto himself doesn't favor it much, as revealed in his afterword. It concludes the book with a master sniper tasked with staking out a rooftop from an apartment belonging to a prostitute. The sniper's challenge is to maintain focus on his mission while ignoring distractions, including the persistent hooker with a heart of gold. The story evolves humorously and imaginatively, transcending its absurd premise to achieve profound allusions and allegories, offering insightful commentary on 21st-century life. Any analysis would spoil the experience, but suffice it to say, it's intelligent, funny, and culminates in a brilliant emotional climax, steering clear of the prevalent themes of sex and death seen earlier in the volume.
There's an intriguing way Matsumoto incorporates sex into his narratives; it never feels titillating. Whether hilarious or disturbing, the ramshackle art style, mundane dialogues, unsettling settings, and quirky humor prevent it from being exploitative or akin to hentai. Everything serves the story, no matter how depraved it may be, reflecting Matsumoto's unique vision rather than any commercial intent to excite readers.
Popular Reviews
At times, you might find these tales repulsive or even worse. However, if you're daring enough to delve into this author's somewhat twisted mind, you're in for an incredible experience.
The book's standout feature isn't its art, which is visually appealing but not revolutionary. Nor are the characters particularly complex; they're just detailed enough for short stories (which means fairly basic). The manga's true strength lies in the impact of its narratives. They're remarkable, inventive, and occasionally downright bizarre. If you have an open mind, these stories will make you laugh, cry, and marvel at the author's creativity. That said, if you prefer logical, straightforward storylines in your comics, this might not be the book for you. For everyone else, grab a copy immediately.
The most concise summary I can provide is that it consists of seven stories soaked in graphic sexual content, shattered innocence, and an odd sense of humor, with a few intriguing ideas (like the tales of the children in gas masks, the sniper, and the detective).
It’s merely a distasteful experiment that yields something far from beautiful or significant.
I cannot recommend it. It’s not that it’s utterly terrible; it’s that it’s a blend of immature, vulgar, and grotesque elements. It resembles how a disturbed child might describe the horrors of war or human nature.
<p>
In "Keep On Vibrating," we're thrust into a world obsessed with sex, where characters are either engaging in it or watching others do so. The narrative centers on a neighborhood calligrapher simply known as 'sensei,' who remains naked for the entirety of the tale, exploring his complex relationship with two abused women. Adding to the surreal atmosphere is a man in a business suit with the head of a horse. Yes, you read that right.
"Morning Glory" follows a possibly clairvoyant individual whose life revolves around sex, trapped in a shallow relationship with a woman. His adventures in the neighborhood lead to predictable yet compelling outcomes involving both sex and death, which seem to go hand-in-hand in this volume.
"Land of the Sacred Spirits" offers a Twilight Zone-style Groundhog Day nightmare for a man trying to avoid the complications of a nasty divorce settlement. One standout quote from this chapter is: "You're a zombie! How can you eat ramen after I killed you!?"
"Sanpol and Krezol" introduces two children wearing gas masks, blessed with the enviable ability shared by all kids—the power to escape reality through their imaginations. As the story unfolds, they emerge as the wisest characters, choosing to retreat from the harsh realities surrounding them. Despite the grim setting, the payoff is truly remarkable.
"The Cat Ritual" continues the setting introduced in the previous chapter, furthering the adventures of the two children. Initially perceived as clever for escaping their circumstances, their intelligence is questioned when they brutally beat a cat for reasons that are hilariously absurd. This chapter provides more insight into their city, showcasing Matsumoto's detailed and quirky backdrops, a refreshing contrast to mainstream manga's focus on superhero costumes and special effects.
"Give and Take" delves into the investigation of a schoolgirl's rape and murder by a police officer who isn't above hitting on high school girls himself. This chapter features a cameo from characters in a prior story and includes more Twilight Zone-like antics.
"Hardboiled Sakata" stands out as the best story in the collection, though Matsumoto himself doesn't favor it much, as revealed in his afterword. It concludes the book with a master sniper tasked with staking out a rooftop from an apartment belonging to a prostitute. The sniper's challenge is to maintain focus on his mission while ignoring distractions, including the persistent hooker with a heart of gold. The story evolves humorously and imaginatively, transcending its absurd premise to achieve profound allusions and allegories, offering insightful commentary on 21st-century life. Any analysis would spoil the experience, but suffice it to say, it's intelligent, funny, and culminates in a brilliant emotional climax, steering clear of the prevalent themes of sex and death seen earlier in the volume.
There's an intriguing way Matsumoto incorporates sex into his narratives; it never feels titillating. Whether hilarious or disturbing, the ramshackle art style, mundane dialogues, unsettling settings, and quirky humor prevent it from being exploitative or akin to hentai. Everything serves the story, no matter how depraved it may be, reflecting Matsumoto's unique vision rather than any commercial intent to excite readers.